h2g2 The Hitchhiker's Guide to the Galaxy: Earth Edition

I got on the train at the A of E II point, and have enjoyed the ride. Even with its modest system requirements, the graphics are good. I've played some more recent RTS games with much steeper graphics specs and while the visuals are better, the game typically is not. The icing on the cake is the book "Strategies and Secrets to Age of Empires II: The Age of Kings". Rather than the typical rehash of the basics, which many hint books are, this one was written by Ensemble Studios, the guys who created the game. It includes detailed walk-throughs of every single player game, plus many strategic hints and analyses of all the 13 civilizations.

I recently resurrected my old PII 450 MhZ machine from the dead (at no cost!). So I may give up on that next $400 graphics card and just keep on truckin' with a good game.

besides good graphics it developes intense interest in other civilizations and cultures